+5.0 on previous index reading
The Bank of Ireland Economic Pulse came in at 73.7 in March 2021. The index, which combines the results of the Consumer and Business Pulses, was up 5.0 on last month and 3.2 higher than a year ago.
The mood among households and firms brightened this month even as public health measures were extended again. The prospect of a cautious easing of Level 5 restrictions from early April onwards and widespread vaccination by the autumn – in line with the Government’s recently published ‘Path Ahead’ – looks to have softened the blow, with a pick-up in economic and commercial activity anticipated as the year progresses.
